Foley

OWA and Tropic Falls

OWA is a 520-acre resort in Foley with the Tropic Falls theme park, an indoor water park under a glass roof and Downtown OWA, about 11 miles north of Gulf Shores. A Tropic Falls ticket costs $69.99 plus tax and fees, the theme park alone $29.99, and children 3 and under are free. Parking and Downtown OWA are free.

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Plan your visit
Checked November 5, 2026From $29.99Free parking
The short answer

OWA in brief

Tropic Falls is the ticketed part. Downtown OWA, just outside its gates, has the shops, restaurants and theaters.

Sources: OWA: FAQ, theme park.

Where
1501 South OWA Boulevard, Foley, at the Foley Beach Express and County Road 20
What it is
A 520-acre resort with the Tropic Falls theme park (23 attractions), an indoor water park and Downtown OWA
Tropic Falls ticket
$69.99 plus tax and fees; theme park only $29.99; 3 and under free
Downtown OWA
Free to walk around, open seven days a week
Parking
Free
Phone
251-923-2111
Tickets

Which ticket you need

All prices are before tax and fees. Buying a month ahead saves 15%. The 2027 Ultimate season pass costs $269.95 and runs through December 31, 2027, with 4 friend tickets.

Sources: OWA: tickets, season passes.

Tropic Falls general admission
$69.99
Theme park only
$29.99
Twilight, from 2 pm
$35
Family 4-pack, per ticket
$57.49 online, $62.49 at the park
Two-day ticket, water park and theme park
$100; use the second day within 7 days
Seniors 55+
$55.99, at the park only
Military
$59.49
3 and under
Free
Buy ahead
15% off 30 days out, 10% off at least 7 days out

Locals' prices

For residents of Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia counties in Alabama and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida. You need a credit card with a local zip code.

Winter general admission
$45
Family 4-pack, per ticket
$47.49 online, $57.49 at the park
Twilight, from 2 pm
$20
Gulf Coast Neighbors season pass 2027
$229.95, with 4 friend tickets and 20% off
Hours

The Tropic Falls calendar

In November, Tropic Falls opens on weekends and over Thanksgiving week. Guest services are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Leap Frog is closed for now, and Alabama Wham'a is closed for maintenance.

Source: OWA: hours and calendar.

Other water parks near the beach

Monday to Friday, November 2–6
Closed
Saturdays, November 7–28
10 am–6 pm
Sundays, November 8, 15 and 29
10 am–5 pm
Sunday, November 22
10 am–6 pm
Thanksgiving week: November 23–25 and 27
10 am–6 pm
Saturday, December 5
10 am–6 pm
Outdoor water park
Closed for the season
Summer
Open seven days a week
Downtown OWA

Downtown OWA: food, shops and shows

Downtown OWA's pedestrian-only streets, modeled on Southern small towns, sit just outside the Tropic Falls gates on the Foley Beach Express. You don't need a park ticket to eat, shop or see a show here.

Sources: Downtown OWA, dining, shopping, entertainment, OWA Theater, hours, parking.

Restaurants
Groovy Goat, Cozumel Bar & Grill, Jon Smith Subs (grilled subs), Waffles R Wild – The Speakeasy, Ben's Soft Pretzels
Drinks
VooDoo Daiquiri's for frozen cocktails, and Murder Creek Distillery, which makes moonshine at OWA
Shops
Native Treasures (Native American products), The OWA Store, Toys Under Twenty
OWA Theater
430+ seats: tribute bands, stage productions and classic movies, with drinks for adults
Brandon Styles Theater
Magic, a variety show and dueling pianos, from family shows to date night
Play
The Arcade at OWA, Neon Rebellion laser tag, Aura Adventures in the evening, pickleball, and flyBAMA helicopter tours
Fountain show
On Lake OWA, daily in winter on the hour and the half hour, with water, music and lights
Getting in and parking
No ticket, open seven days a week; hours depend on each business. Park free in the main lot off South OWA Boulevard, or by the OWA Theater off North OWA Boulevard
Kids by height

Height rules for every ride

Measure your kids before you go. At 36 inches, they can ride most of the kids' rides on their own; Rollin' Thunder needs 51 inches.

Rollin' Thunder
51" minimum
Air Racer, Twister, Wave Rider
48" minimum
Crazy Mouse, AeroZoom, Flying Carousel
42" with an adult, 48" alone
Rockin' Raft, Sky Balloons
42" to ride alone
Flutter By, Flying Tigers
36" with an adult, 48" alone
Mystic Mansion, Southern Express
36" with an adult, 42" alone
Tea Time, Flying Aces, Gully Washer, Happy Haulers, Leap Frog
36" to ride alone
Swingin' Fun
36" to 72"
Zip Zap Race
36" to 51"
Wacky Waters splash pad
No height limit

  • Piranha Plunge, Serpentine Swirl, Tangerine Scream

    Height48" minimumWhat it isBody slides; Piranha Plunge has a drop floor and a 360° loop

  • Forbidden Falls

    Height48" minimumWhat it isTube slide for up to two riders

  • Citrus Cyclone

    Height42" minimumWhat it isTube slide

  • Aqua Chaser

    Height42" minimumWhat it isThree side-by-side mat slides to race on

  • Big Water Bay

    What it is30,000 sq ft wave pool with a giant screen and cabanas to rent

  • Coastal Curl

    What it isSurf simulator in Big Water Bay

  • Castaway Creek

    What it isLazy river around the indoor park

  • Tuki's Tower

    What it isKids' play structure with five slides and a dump bucket

Sources: theme park attractions, water park attractions.

Events

Christmas at OWA 2026

The Christmas program runs in Downtown OWA, where the fountain show on Lake OWA plays daily in winter.

  • Tree lighting

    WhenSaturday, November 21, 2–8 pmWhat it isSanta lights the tree; live music, train rides and a Toys for Tots drive

  • Elf Academy

    WhenDecember 11, 5–8 pm, and December 12, 1–7 pmWhat it isKids train as honorary elves

  • Crafts and photos with Santa

    WhenDecember 18–23, from 4 pm Friday, from 2 pm Saturday to WednesdayWhat it isStockings, reindeer food and snow globes, with cookies, cocoa and the Jolly Trolley

  • Breakfast with Santa

    WhenDecember 19–23, 8:30–11 amWhat it isTicketed breakfast, then free crafts from 2 pm

Sources: Christmas at OWA, Downtown OWA.

All events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Food and rules

Food, swimwear and re-entry

Leave the cooler in the car: outside food and drinks aren't allowed anywhere at OWA, Downtown included.

Sources: rules and regulations, FAQ, tickets.

Outside food and drinks
Not allowed anywhere on OWA property. Inside Tropic Falls: Baja Grill, Grub and Libations
Swimwear
Only in the water park and Wacky Waters, and required on the slides and in the pools; no zippers, rivets, buckles or denim on the slides
Shoes
Required in the theme park, except at Wacky Waters
Re-entry
Same day, with your ticket
Animals
Only service animals in the water park and the buildings
Not allowed
Weapons, including knives; GoPros; smoking or vaping outside the marked areas
Changed plans
At the park only: swap to another date at the same price for free, or upgrade a weekday ticket to a weekend one for $15
Getting there

Driving and parking

OWA is at the corner of the Foley Beach Express and County Road 20.

Source: OWA: directions and parking.

Foley

From Gulf Place, Gulf Shores
About 11 miles
From The Wharf, Orange Beach
About 7.3 miles
From I-10
Exit 49, then south on the Baldwin Beach Express
From I-65
Exit 34, Highway 59 south, then the Foley Beach Express
Parking
Free; main lot from South OWA Boulevard, the TownePlace Suites and OWA Theater lot from North OWA Boulevard. The events center lot is for Foley Sports Tourism only
The name

Where OWA comes from

OWA, said "oh-wah", means "big water" in the Muscogee Creek language. In 2012, the City of Foley approached the Poarch Band of Creek Indians about building an entertainment destination in Baldwin County, and the tribe's development authority planned OWA next to the city's sports fields and events center.

Hotels in Foley

Stay in Foley, close to OWA

TownePlace Suites by Marriott is on OWA's grounds, on North OWA Boulevard. The beach is about 11 miles south.

Foley among all areas

  1. The Hotel MagnoliaFoley · 119 N McKenzie St, FoleyExpedia rating9.4 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachPrices
  2. Fairfield Inn & Suites FoleyFoley · 194 Aryan Court, FoleyExpedia rating9.2 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachPrices
  3. Econo Lodge Inn & Suites FoleyFoley · 2682 S McKenzie St, FoleyExpedia rating9.0 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachPrices
  4. Holiday Inn Express & Suites FoleyFoley · 3155 Abbey Lane, FoleyExpedia rating9.0 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachPrices
  5. Hampton Inn FoleyFoley · 3152 Abbey Lane, FoleyExpedia rating9.0 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachParkingFreePrices
  6. TownePlace Suites Foley at OWAFoley · 1070 North OWA Boulevard, FoleyExpedia rating9.0 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachParkingFree on-site parkingPrices
  7. Cobblestone Hotel & Suites FoleyFoley · 2970 Koniar Way, FoleyExpedia rating9.0 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachPrices
  8. Home2 Suites FoleyFoley · 2750 South McKenzie Street, FoleyExpedia rating8.6 on ExpediaBeachNot on the beachParkingFreePrices
What people ask

Quick answers

What does OWA stand for?

It isn't short for anything. It's a Muscogee Creek word for "big water", said "oh-wah".

Is the OWA water park indoors?

Yes. Tropic Falls' water park is under a glass roof that opens, and there's an outdoor water park next to it.

Is there a hotel at OWA?

Yes, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, at 1070 North OWA Boulevard.

Does it cost anything to visit Downtown OWA?

No. Downtown OWA is free and open seven days a week; each shop and restaurant sets its own hours.